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RSSDI to host diabetes fair

Kolkata, Nov 5 IBNS | 1 year ago

The Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), West Bengal Chapter is all set to host a three day long Diabetes Fair or Madhumeha Mela at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here on Nov 13, 14 and 15 to commemorate the World Diabetes Day.

The Madhumeha Mela will be inaugurated by state Health and Family Welfare and Judicial Affairs minister, Chandrima Bhattacharya on Nov 14.

The World Diabetes Day which is observed every year on Nov 14 was formulated in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organisation in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by the disease.

The event is part of a campaign, which focuses on diabetes education and prevention for the period 2009-2013 is led by the International Diabetes Federation.

Anybody can participate in the fare and avail the services without any fee between 11 am to 8 pm on all the three days.

Dr Subhankar Chowdhury, Secretary, RSSDI, West Bengal Chapter said, "It is very unfortunate that a disease like Diabetes which can be kept in control easily with proper medical care and lifestyle management, remains undiagnosed in more than half the patients in our country, unless they visit the hospital with stroke or heart attack which result due to high blood sugar levels for prolonged periods."

"Even though our country is home to over 63 million diabetics, there is a lack of awareness among people about the disease and that is why we are here with this Mela," Chowdhury added.

Timely diagnosis with proper treatment protects the patient from other adverse effects of the disease like heart block, loss of eyesight, kidney failure, brain stroke, he said.

"Often, people don't realise the severity of diabetes and leave treatment after two or three months of the diagnosis exposing themselves to various life threatening diseases," he added.

The fair will offer gamut of services that will include on-the-spot capillary blood-glucose measurement, measurement blood-pressure and body fat, estimation of heart attack and stroke risk for diabetics, ECG, eye examintaion to detect diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetics can also get advice on proper care of their feet and avail guidance to select correct footwear for themselves.

"Diabetes is a lifestyle disorder, and stressful life together with unhealthy living is a major factor behind the huge diabetic population we have in our country," Dr. Chowdhury said.

Madhumeha mela will offer customised dietary advice and have instructional areas prescribing proper exercise including yoga which play a crucial role in managing diabetes.

In an attempt to spread awareness about the disease, which is fast spreading its tentacles among the younger population, students from nineteen schools in the city will participate in the fair.

Moreover, the M.P. Birla Planetarium will be illuminated from Nov 13 to 15, in blue light (blue circle being the symbol of diabetes), as part of the prestigious Blue monument challenge taken up by the 160 participating countries.

In order to spread greater awareness among the city people, World Diabetes Day Walkathon will be flagged off by the President-Elect of the International Diabetes Federation, Dr. Shaukat M. Sadikot from the North gate of Victoria Memorial on Nov 14.